A federal judge on Saturday blocked Arkansas’ plan to execute six prisoners in a 10-day span, ruling that the inmates have a constitutional right to challenge the cocktail of drugs used to execute them, USA Today reports.
This comes on the heels of other judges who issued stays of execution for two prisoners, and a Circuit Court judge in Pulaski County, Arkansas issuing a restraining order prohibiting Arkansas from using one of its three execution drugs, the New York Times reported.
Arkansas is in a race against the clock to beat an April 30 deadline before the expiration date of a key drug, midazolam, used in the process.
From USA Today:
The preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker, in Little Rock, came a day after Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen issued a temporary restraining order barring Arkansas from using its supply of another drug — vecuronium bromide — in the executions.
After the sedative midazolam is administered, vecuronium bromide stops the breathing and potassium chloride stops the heart.
“The state of Arkansas does not intend to torture plaintiffs to death,” Baker wrote. “However, the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment is not limited to inherently barbaric punishments. A condemned prisoner can successfully challenge the method of his or her execution by showing that the state’s method ‘creates a demonstrated risk of severe pain’ and ‘the risk is substantial when compared to the known and available alternatives.’”
Arkansas plans to appeal the ruling to continue its plan to execute the first prison on Monday. Meanwhile, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge criticized the ruling, tweeting that it’s unfair to the families of the victims:
USA Today said no state has ever executed that many inmates in such a short span of time.
SOURCE: USA Today, New York Times
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55 Photos To Make You Miss The Obamas
55 Photos To Make You Miss The Obamas
1. Barack gives daughter Malia a kiss
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2. Michelle and Barack tell the kids a story
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3. Michelle and Barack Kiss
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4. Michelle and Barack
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5. First Family Portrait
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6. Two Terms
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7. Michelle and Barack host a State Dinner
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8. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
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9. The Obamas on Air Force One
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10. The First Family in London
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11. First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia Obama and Sasha Obama
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12. Sasha and Malia Obama at the 2016 State Dinner
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13. Turkey Pardoning
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14. Sunday Church
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15. Gobble, Gobble
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16. Obama & Sasha
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17. Malia Obama, the First Daughter
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18. Barack Obama and his daughter Malia Obama
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19. Team Obama
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20. A Family Affair
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21. Flashback To The Old Days
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22. Happy Birthday!
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23. Candidly Awesome
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24. Historic First Family
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25. Ice Cream Treat
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26. TV Time
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27. Playing In The Oval Office
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28. Always Giving Back
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29. A Christmas Story
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30. Hawaii Trip!
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31. Obama Loves Team USA & His Wife
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32. Malia and Sasha Obama
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33. Michelle Plays on a Bike
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34. Obama Loves Team USA, His Wife & Malia
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35. Reading Time
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36. Family Support
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37. The Sister Selfie
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38. Supporting Mom
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39. Giving Back On MLK Day
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40. Obamas Give Back To The Community
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41. Always Supporting Small Businesses
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42. Obama Swagger
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43. Laughs & Turkeys
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44. Christmas With The Obamas
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45. 50th Anniversary Of March On Selma
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46. Christmas Tree Lighting
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Continue reading 55 Photos To Make You Miss The Obamas
55 Photos To Make You Miss The Obamas
